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Month: June 2017

Sunday, 4 June 2017

When we returned to Mine Town after our encounter with the goblins, Cole had an errand to run so Grim, Garruk and I decided to find out what is going on with the old magic shop. Tim and Tommy explain that it is haunted and no one has entered it in a very long time. They have even heard an increased number of moans and screams coming from within the last two months. When we tell them that we want to explore it and see what is happening they are taken aback. “What if there are giant spiders in there!” After a little while they agree to let us investigate but we have to promise not to let whatever is in there out.

The main floor of the magic shop is full of empty display cases and covered with dust. There is a noise coming from the basement so we head down. Down below we find a room full of cages. The cages are occupied by all manner of creatures ranging from goblins to children. They appear to be dead with the exception of one small child in a corner cage. The walls are covered in blood and appear to be some kind of ancient writing. There is one glyph that I recognize. It is the union of 6 diamonds. It represents the gods that lived before there was time.

As we are taking in the horror of this torture chamber a woman comes in the room and asks what we are doing. Before we are given a chance to respond she blasts us with some magical fire. Grim falls to the ground and I tend to him. Garruk engages her and she runs off. Just then Cole, enters the basement and helps Garruk capture the woman. After they subdue her I notice she has a pendant much like a portion of the ancient glyph on the wall. I take it from her and make it safe. Grim regains consciousness and the little girl is let out of her cage. This is without a doubt the evil my superiors sensed in this area.

The child in the cage turns out to be Bertha, the girl Cole was hired to bring back to her uncle. The woman was the redhead from the bar, Chandra. When Chandra regained consciousness she had no memory of the last two months. Apparently, the bard Rickie Vallish gave her the necklace and it took over her mind. She has spent the last two months conducting ancient rituals and unspeakable acts in an attempt to bring “them” back.

When I showed the pendant to the local priest and described the glyph on the wall he mentioned that long ago the miners had seen a similar shape in sector B of the mines before the collapse. There were giant metal diamonds shaped just like the pendant set into the walls of the mine and each had a hole, roughly the size of a fist in them.

My theory is that 75 years ago, the adventurers came to investigate the giant mural on the wall. Whether deliberately or by accident they collapsed the mine. There the symbol lay dormant for generations, until the bard arrived two months ago. He stole the orb (which I theorize will fit into one of the 6 recess), did something in the mine and then gave Chandra the amulet which then bewitched her.

It has become clear that nothing is more important than learning about this symbol. The bard must be tracked down and the orb and any others like it must be recovered. Additionally, we must learn if anyone else has been possessed in the way Chandra was and free them of their burden as well.

In the morning, while Grim, Cole and I are discussing our plans to visit the goblins, the ranger we had been told about comes into the tavern. He introduces himself as Garruk and offers his assistance. Apparently the goblins have an establishment about 3 miles to the east and he can take us there.

As we approach the goblin settlement, it is obvious that they are waiting for us. This band has been fortifying their home over the last two months. Primitive towers and walls surround their village. The towns people and our ranger friend mentioned nothing of this. Clearly it is a new development. When we enter bow and magic range Grim and Garruk start picking off the Goblins on the towers. Their leader comes out and offers a challenge. Cole accepts the challenge and engages him. I approach to help with the others while Grim and Garruk cover us. The goblin boss quickly realizes he is no match for Cole. Cole offers a Parle.

After some discussion with the boss we learn that the goblins have been attacking so consistently because about two moons ago a human in fancy clothes came and stole their sacred orb, The Eye of Grok. It is a beautiful glowing orange globe that the goblins have had for generations. We tell them that we will retrieve their orb and they agree to stop attacking the city. However, if we do not return in three moons the deal is off.

It would seem that the bard who came through a few months ago did more than just spend time in the mines. There is very little doubt in my mind that he is responsible for the theft of the orb and the resulting raids on Mine Town. When we return to Mine Town Stonebeard isnt happy about the arrangement. But then, he isnt happy about much.